Ethiopia: Information on the current situation of ethnic Somalis, in particular the Gadabursi tribe, and their relationship to the interim government
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ETH10896 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ethiopia: Information on the current situation of ethnic Somalis, in particular the Gadabursi tribe, and their relationship to the interim government, 1 May 1992, ETH10896, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acf21c.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a Ph.D. student and specialist of northern Somalia at the Université de Pau in France, Somali tribes in Ethiopia have joined several political party groups which represent them in the current Ethiopian Parliament (20 May 1992). The Indian Ocean Newsletter of 13 and 27 July 1991 mentions the following groups: the Issa and Gadabursi People's Movement currently known as the "Issa and Gurgura Movement", represented at the beginning of the Addis Ababa conference by currently employed Djiboutian civil servants, Bouh Dirir, former head of the Office national d'approvisionnement et de commercialisation (ONAC), and the secretary general of the Djiboutian National Assembly. However, once the Ethiopian leaders realized the movement's fraud, both representatives were expelled (The Indian Ocean Newsletter 27 Jul. 1991). Also representing the Somalis in Ethiopia is the "Somali Abo Liberation Front", which occupies one seat in the general council (The Indian Ocean Newsletter 13 Jul. 1991). For a list of all representatives of political and ethnic organisations in the eastern region of Ethiopia, please refer to the attached article of The Indian Ocean Newsletter of 1 February 1992.
The Indian Ocean Newsletter of 12 and 26 October 1991 reports violent conflicts which occurred between the Issa-Gurgura Liberation Front (IGLF) and the ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) wherein IGLF accused the latter of launching military operations in Harrar and in the region of Dire Dawa since October 3. The Indian Ocean Newsletter of 4 January 1992 reports that following the adoption of a new regional map, knowledge of the Somali language is one of the conditions for eligibility to representation of the Somali people in the regional parliament. The Ph.D. student points out the general state of chaos and insecurity which reigns in the area north-east of Harare where members of Gadabursi tribes dwell (20 May 1992). The same source adds that the security of inhabitants of this region is further jeopardised by the military conflict which exists between the Issa and Gadabursi movement and the Isaaq military group. The source further emphasizes the incapacity to maintain peace and order of the present government led by the EPRDF; this is largely due to the increased in-fighting between rival ethnic groups for political recognition.
Additional and/or corroborative information on the above subject could not be found among the sources currently available to the IRBDC in Ottawa.
References
Université de Pau, France. 20 May 1992. Telephone Interview with Ph.D. student.
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 1 February 1992. No. 512. "No Simple Solution in Eastern Region."
. 4 January 1992. No. 508. "Regional Order is a Matter of Word."
. 26 October 1991. No. 499. "Ethiopia: Battle Over Railway Security Rights."
. 2 October 1991. No. 497. "Ethiopia: Tension Still High in the East."
. 28 September 1991. No. 495. "Ethiopia: Clashes in East of the Country."
. 27 July 1991. No. 489. "Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism."
. 13 July 1991. No.487. "Ethiopia: General Council Line-Up."
Attachments
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 1 February 1992. No. 512. "No Simple Solution in Eastern Region."
. 4 January 1992. No. 508. "Regional Order is a Matter of Word."
. 26 October 1991. No. 499. "Ethiopia: Battle Over Railway Security Rights."
. 2 October 1991. No. 497. "Ethiopia: Tension Still High in the East."
. 28 September 1991. No. 495. "Ethiopia: Clashes in East of the Country."
. 27 July 1991. No. 489. "Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism."
. 13 July 1991. No.487. "Ethiopia: General Council Line-Up."
